According to NewsOK, OKC Broadway has announced that it will establish the annual Kelli O'Hara Awards to honor high school musical theater talent.

O'Hara is an Oklahoma native, hence her namesake. The awards put Oklahoma City on the map among others nationwide who recognize excellence in high school musical theater.

The top performers will be invited to participate in The Kelli O'Hara Awards at the Civic Center Music Hall at the end of each spring semester. Winners in the Best Actor and Best Actress categories will go on to compete at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, aka "The Jimmy Awards."

OKC Broadway will officially be recognized as a Jimmy Awards provider in 2020. This year's awards will serve as a preview "dress rehearsal" year.

The 2019 nominees will perform and be honored in a professionally produced awards program at the Civic Center, and the Best Actor and Best Actress will receive a trip to New York and tickets to The Jimmy Awards but will not take part in the competition. Beginning in 2020, they will be able to compete.

OKC Broadway is the presenter of the nationally touring Broadway shows and is a partnership between The Nederlander Organization, known for presenting live theatre and concerts world-wide; and the Civic Center Foundation, who in its 15+ year history has donated millions to the Civic Center Music Hall for improvements to heighten the performance experience for both performers and audiences.